TAEMIN 태민 | 'GUILTY' MV | REACTION!! | THIS MANNNNNN HAS ME

[@jeopar98]

I have been into Kpop for more than 20 years and been through 1st gen Kpop to current gen but I can confidently say that Taemin is the most mesmerizing and complete Kpop idol I have ever seen. He is that good and that is the reason why he is the role model for so many Kpop idols..You can check all his discography and you won't be disappointed.

[@TheHekateris]

Once you Taem-in, you can't Taem-out 😌

[@greywhale]

Every one feels confused, attached, mesmerized, a daze , enthralled, STUPIFIED! He is amazing!

[@Saddlemomma]

Yes, this is where both Kai and Jimin get "it" from, along with a host of other 3rd-4th gen idols...lol. This is why Taemin is called the "Idols Idol". One thing you will get with time is that Taemin pours himself, heart and soul, into every aspect of his music. This is how he communicates with us on a much deeper level. Every video includes a revelation about his personal struggles with being in the limelight, especially as a Christian. To attain fame is to lose a part of yourself and to make compromises. The question becomes how much are you willing to compromise to do something you absolutely love without losing yourself and your principles. How much will you sacrifice to fame? Taemin's Christian faith is very important to him and it is being put to the test to succumb to the temptations that go along with fame on a daily basis. For Taemin, he lost his youth, his friends, and his innocence at an extremely young age. He was only 11/12 when he entered SM and 14 when he debuted (2008 - 2nd gen). As an extremely "pretty" young boy and exceptionally gifted, self-taught dancer, Taemin was somewhat of a phenomenon that SM snatched up at his very first audition during the extremely difficult open Saturday auditions attended by thousands. ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6fbiqNqo79ml7s ). Unfortunately for him, while doing what he loves, the industry didn't treat him kindly. Instead, they exploited him -- his "prettiness" encouraged them to dress him up like a girl, make crude jokes, and he was isolated from normal experiences a boy his age should have. This exploitation got so bad this fellow SHINee brother, Jonghyun, wrote a song for Taemin called "Pretty Boy", in which one of the lines read, "I'm more than the imaginations in your head." It was a strong rebuke to those with the control. "Guilty" is Taemin's most personal and revealing MVs/songs to date. It reveals his struggle to maintain his faith with all the extreme control and mental abuse ( regarding his early experiences of being made to be girly, tremendous pressure to be perfect, under constant control) within SM and the industry as a whole. In the MV, we get another glimpse of how Taemin processes all this manipulation and control via the vehicle of his dueling egos -- the "Light" Taemin who is kind, innocent, and more pure vs. the "Dark" Taemin who thrives on chaos, lies, manipulation and entices "Light" Taemin to embrace all that innocent Taemin finds distasteful about that side of fame. We see this same dichotomy in his MVs for "Press Your Number" (2015); "Want" (2019, which is a retelling of Genesis 3 of the Bible); "Fame" (2019, Japanese); "Under My Skin" (2018); and the entire "Never Gonna Dance Again, Acts 1 & 2 (NGDA)" album featuring "Criminal" and "IDEA". In each case, "Dark" Taemin is the "criminal" while "Light" Taemin is the victim. Like NGDA, "Guilty" also has a sister-song/MV. It's called "The Rizzness". It's the music for "The Rizzness" that you heard in the trailer at the beginning of your reaction. I would encourage you to watch that MV as well and really read the lyrics. In that video, we see the "Dark" Taemin as "Abraxas" the demon (Taemin wearing the headdress) that is portrayed here in "Guilty" inciting Taemin to participate in social media bullying. "Light" Taemin tells Abraxas, through rap, exactly how he feels about such bullying. This is especially significant once you know about the history of SHINee. It hits really close to home. I'll do another post on what I see as the breakdown of this MV. Others have some different takes, but all hit close to home because Taemin's messages can usually relate to many of us and some trauma we have gone through in life. This is what brings us all together. Taemin shows us he is no different from you, me, or anyone. We are all human navigating life together.

[@QueenSarabiii]

Thank you for this, I really appreciate the insight it is really informative ❤️

[@antidave]

I don't think this is where Kai gets it at all lmao he's a ballet and jazz dancer since he was a kid lmao that's why most of his bones and discs are hurt cause he's been dancing since he was young.

[@batoulangell9874]

Feeling with you, Sarabi. Once you are Taem-in, there is no Taem-out!!

[@brittaneyb3425]

Definitely not just a you issue haha everyone who is a Taemin fan has been through this. When you react to superm, please react to their personalities as well through their shows/interviews!! Taemin will give you whiplash in superm and shinee haha. He is having a comeback soon and it is falling on his tenth solo debut anniversary in like a week.. it’s said to be something he’s been wanting to do for a long time. Please react to some of his other mvs, live performances, and songs, criminal, idea, advice, black rose are some of my favorites!

[@Suha2019]

I understand you girl, with everything you feel, because I've been like you for 17 years since I first saw SHINee and Taemin. 🩵💎🤍 Info: Taemin's outfit is always part of the song's concept in every detail.

[@milindawilson9175]

I think "Guilty" is a continuation of the themes surrounding Taemin's previous releases. Particularly connected to his Never Gonna Dance Again trilogy of albums -- "2 Kids", "Criminal" and "Idea" -- and Advice album themes. As Taemin has explained, "Guilty" is about a lover who DOESN'T feel guilty about all the bad things they have done in the relationship and they feel no shame or remorse for the pain and suffering they may have caused the other person. Which, if you connect it to the messages from his previous MVs, this easily could be interpreted as a metaphor for everything Taemin has gone through in his career and life. As an idol, he has been manipulated and controlled his whole life. Debuting at 14 years old, Taemin has lived his entire life in the public eye under a microscope, he is expected to be flawless and perfect, and people are constantly telling him what to do and how he should act, etc. However, now that he has turned 30, I think he is embracing a new chapter in his life where he is saying he is no longer going to allow people to manipulate him and he is officially taking back control. In other words, he's not going to feel guilty any more for being himself and doing what makes him happy. As you can see, the story in the MV needs to paired with the trailer videos that were released a few days before the MV dropped. In the trailer we see Taemin being manipulated even more by outside forces and people who literally at one point hand him a gun and force him to shoot something or someone, which is all part of the metaphor that has to do with taking control of his life, etc. If you delve in deep, we see that "Guilty" could be interpreted as his relationship with fame and the different sides of who he is as a person and artist. Everything you see and hear can be thought of as a metaphor for life told using biblical references as an underlying theme showcasing Taemin's Catholic faith.The majority of Taemin's songs and MVs touch on concepts, stories and themes from the Bible, as a metaphor to explain what he has gone through growing up as an idol and the journey he has taken in order to find confidence in and acceptance with who he is as a person and an artist. "Guilty" is his title track on his 4th mini Korean solo album. With Taemin -- and all the members of SHINee -- you will never get the same thing twice. Everything he releases will be a new style and sound and, yet, it will still be very "Taemin". As SM Entertainment's experimental boy group, SHINee are meant to be the first to do almost everything, and they are expected to come up with something new that no one has ever seen or heard before with every release of theirs. As Kpop's trendsetters, the members of SHINee reinvent the industry with every comeback. As you know, Taemin is the main dancer and a main vocalist of SHINee. However, because he is a member of SHINee, this means he can do it all. SHINee are known for the fact that there are no longer any fixed roles in their group, the main vocalists can rap and the rappers can fill in as main vocalists at any moment. However, what they are really recognized for is that they are one of the best vocal groups to ever exist. All of the SHINee members are top tier singers and dancers. You may find this hard to believe, but when Taemin debuted as a member of SHINee way back in 2008, he didn't have a whole lot of lines in their songs. People even used to make fun of Taemin's singing and they would say that he was tone deaf and couldn't sing. However, it's sort of a misconception that Taemin "couldn't sing." it wasn't that he couldn't sing, it was just that he debuted when he was so young -- he was only 14 years old -- that his voice hadn't really developed yet and he didn't really have a good grasp of how to use his voice and produce the sounds he wanted with it. So, in the beginning, when he sang, he was often flat or his voice cracked or he was off key or out of tune, etc. And because he was being compared to the other members of SHINee who are all 2 to 4 years older than him, and the other members had such phenomenal voices to start out with, it really made Taemin sound like he was lacking. (SHINee are considered THE premier vocal group that everyone dreams of being as good as.) That's why in SHINee's first few songs Taemin only has a few lines, and most of the time he was just given big solo dance breaks to fill the stage at his parts in the song. However, if he was really tone deaf, he never would have become an SM Idol trainee -- SM would have put him on the dance track and probably steered him toward becoming a backup dancer -- and he definitely would have never become the amazing singer that he is today. As you probably know, someone who is truly tone deaf is physically unable to hear the difference in the notes and is unable to carry a tune. As you know, Taemin is considered one of the greatest dancers of all time. He has literally been voted one of the top two BEST dancers in all of Kpop by his peers and industry experts. (Kai from EXO -- who happens to be Taemin's best friend since trainee days, and a fellow member of the Kpop supergroup SuperM -- is the other top dancer.) That is why he has been nicknamed the Korean Michael Jackson. Literally everyone in the Kpop industry looks up to Taemin and idolizes him. But Taemin really wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't just a dancer, so he spent a lot of extra time concentrating on vocal lessons and the other SHINee members -- especially Onew and Jonghyun (two of the best vocalists in the industry) -- spent some serious time coaching and mentoring him until he learned what it took to match their vocal range and to use his voice. (For the first year or more after SHINee's debut Taemin spent hours in vocal lessons and he would push himself every day until his nose would bleed because he was so tired and worn out, etc. He practically lived in the training rooms at SM.) The ONLY thing the members of SHINee are not good at is lip syncing, so Taemin, and all the members of SHINee, have specifically trained since their debut, to build stamina and endurance, in order to be able to sing live for 3+ hours straight in concert, all while performing these intense choreographies and still sound flawless. When you watch a live performance, you may be shocked because Taemin and SHINee sound so perfect live even though they are dancing so intensely, but that is why they are so highly respected by everyone. Therefore, when you hear SHINee sing, 95% of the time it will be live. Other Idols and audio sound technicians, etc. who have witnessed the SHINee members performing live are always blown away, because in the parts of the song where most singers would take a break and rely on the backing track vocals to cover their voices so they can catch their breath and recover, this is where the SHINee members actually ramp it up and become their most powerful. In Taemin's live performance you will discover that he sounds even better than in the recorded version, all while dancing full out. What makes SHINee so great is that even if they are singing a cappella while performing this high energy choreography, they sound just as amazing. That's why, even as rookies, senior artists would stop what they were doing to watch SHINee's rehearsals on music programs because SHINee's vocal talent is that impressive. When SHINee debuted, they were the first group to demonstrate how it was possible to sing live while performing complex choreography and still maintain stable vocals. Before SHINee, the thought within the industry was that it wasn't possible to sing live and also perform high intensity choreography at the same time. At that time, most groups would either sing live and have simple choreography, or they would have crazy cool choreography, but lip sync to their recorded vocals. SHINee completely changed the Kpop industry and upped the standard of what it meant to be an idol singer. Taemin -- and SHINee -- live is unmatched. It's literally referred to as the SHINee standard. It's the standard that all other groups strive to reach, and SHINee are the vocalists that all other artists try to emulate. Taemin has released at least one song or album -- most of the time way more than just one -- as part of SHINee, as a member of a project group, as a solo artist or as a member of SuperM every year since SHINee's debut. (Except for the past two years because he was on hiatus while he carried out his public service duties as part of his military requirements.) Therefore, including his full-length albums, mini albums, and singles, etc., as well as his Japanese albums, Taemin has more than a dozen solo albums. Not to mention the 2 albums he has as a member of SuperM. And on top of all that, SHINee currently has 14 full-length Korean and Japanese albums, just as many repackaged albums, numerous mini albums, etc. Plus, he has held many solo concert tours, as well as a world tour as a member of SuperM, and SHINee has held more than 100 concerts within 6 world tours so far. You have a TON to catch up on. :D Now if you haven't yet, you need to check out Taemin's Killing Voice performance. I have a feeling when you watch his Killing Voice you will find that hearing him sing "Guilty," as well as his other songs, live that you will be even more impressed. There is a reason why Taemin is like none other.

[@maryqueenmaryqueen2523]

Honey, I'm in your state for last 2 years I follow Taemin, and THIS is Taemin effect, you just accept the fact that every single thing this gorgous artist does will leave you speechless, and questioning your live so far. His new album is coming on 18th and let me tell you we are not ready 😂 Taemin will shook us to the core again, that's the only thing I know for a fact ❤

[@avotia]

19th😉

[@Taemin9494-c2c]

He has a comeback on August 19th!!! He co-composed all the songs in the mini and co-wrote two tracks

[@Karinaiswatching]

Taemin is art Period

[@veronicahernandez5266]

Taemin is Art. The first time I watched the trailer I cried and when I watched the MV, I cried. He has a way of speaking to you through his movements and is greatness in its purest form. Definitely the Idols Idol and will always be a Legend.

[@cashmeredelicate1373]

I cried because he finally cb to us and this song with all stories behind it, it's overwhelming

[@namjoonswife3300]

3:23-3:30 That song is The Rizzness and it's sooooo good🙌🏽🙌🏽 Please react to the performance video!

[@QueenSarabiii]

😭😭😭 My little heart

[@bea_hae_tae9392]

TAEMIN is unique and not only dances or sings, he can literally combine all his skills and make you feel the music. My dear, now you have a chance to experience his comeback with the mini-album Eternal, don't miss it

[@QueenSarabiii]

I definitely wont be missing out on the comeback. Cause I am hypnotized 😵‍💫

[@antidave]

At the end of the day, we know his songs aren't love songs.

[@Ofra8191-]

Welcome to the Taemin effect.... we all experience it with him, and it doesn't go away. As I've said before, Welcome to the Taemin cult (Taeminisem), there's no exit.

[@Saddlemomma]

This MV/song is the continuation of Taemin's toxic struggle between the relationship of the two egos in his mind (indicated by the hand inside his shirt grabbing himself -- it's coming from inside himself): the demon tempting him with the perks of his celebrity life clashing with his Christian self desiring to adhere to his Christian worldview. AlthoughTaemin LOVES what he does, constant the temptations to go astray and embrace a worldly lifestyle are many. This is the cause of his guilt--the urge to do forbidden things. The person clinging to the attendant's leg is Taemin himself. He's trying to cling to his faith-based identity. He digs his fingers into his own flesh to feel pain and bring himself back to, or hold onto, his reality. This concept is a very personal storyline that traces his entire history and experience as an idol. Taemin is deeply interested in researching different philosophies around the world and using those for his concepts. For this particular song/MV, Taemin indicated that he researched both "Demian" by Hermann Hesse and ""Eroticism: Death and Sensuality" by the French philosopher, Georges Bataille. His concept is that of guilt and how humans process their guilt, especially with respect to dealing with the forbidden, sensuality, and death. For Taemin, this toxic relationship is within himself and is displayed through the character he plays of Abraxas (wearing a headdress and representing the mythological gnostic demigod of a heretical sect, later referred to as a demon). However, Taemin also plays the character of himself being tormented by this internal demon who constantly plagues and entices him to embrace worldly desires. The entire song is a dialogue between Abraxas and Taemin. During the dialogue, Taemin is struggling (the choreo) to fight off being possessed and swallowed completely by Abraxas. We see even more of this struggle in the b-side performance video for "The Rizzness". IT'S WILD! I hope you will also react to that. In that performance video, you clearly see the demon, "Abraxas" alone (as he's in Taemin's head) all in black, pointed ears, and brow ridges, and Taemin, with backup dancers, dressed in white (associated with innocence, righteousness, and goodness in religious symbolism while black represents death, evil, darkness, and chaos). Continuing with "Guilty", we see Taemin walking through institutions of his memory such as an abandoned school (which, as an introvert, he hated), or hospital/mental institution (brainwashing-Taemin was extremely sexualized by the industry as I mentioned earlier), and/or training center (SM?), always being controlled and in situations that produce temptations to go against his values. If he is not constantly vigilant, "....when you've caught on (Abraxas), I'm already gone (Taemin)." In other words, he will lose himself instantly because the temptations are so appealing and addictive (as illustrated in his MVs for "Want" & "Famous"). The "poison apple" is the bait, (again just like in 2019's "Want" & "Famous")..."want a bite?" "Just a little more, that's all it takes." "Gift you once as a bait, then I (Abraxas) take everything." The demon is the father of hundreds of lies. The pre-chorus and chorus are actually further dialogue between Taemin and Abraxas: [Pre-chorus] Ooh-ooh (On that vague border between good and bad - Taemin) You played the fool for me - Abraxas (My judgment in the final moment - Taemin) [Chorus -- all Abraxas] Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh You got me G-U-I-L-T-Y - Trick and take everything from you Again, just playing a game all for fun Hundreds of lies Ooh yeah Taemin is a genius when it comes to interweaving layers of meanings into his lyrics (which he often rewrites/tweaks from SM samples to make them fit his concepts), choreo, basically every aspect of his performance, and leaving us mesmerized, trying to arrive at the deepest look into his psyche. This is why he is the ultimate artist for me. Yes, I love his dancing, but it's his lyrical and musical prowess that truly captivates me, while also gratifying my desire for deeper, meaningful Christian messaging that is usually lacking in actual Christian music.

[@penguinworm]

Yes I've been where you are and I'm still there tbh. I agree 100% about his dancing. In regards to this music video, it might be important context to know that Taemin left home at age 12 to join SM Entertainment as an idol trainee, where he lived in dorms with other trainees. He then debuted in SHINee at age 14.

[@marinal.]

@Saddlemomma said on 3/8/24 Now, let me give you my take on "Guilty". When putting of the things we need to look for in a Taemin MV together, we begin to see what is going on in this MV. In short, this is not about a toxic relationship between a couple, but rather the continuation of Taemin's toxic struggle between the relationship of the two egos in his mind (indicated by the hand inside his shirt grabbing himself -- it's coming from inside himself): the demon tempting him with the perks of his celebrity life clashing with his Christian self desiring to adhere to his Christian worldview. Taemin LOVES what he does, but the temptations to go astray and embrace a worldly lifestyle are many. This is the cause of his guilt. The person clinging to the attendant's leg is Taemin himself. He's trying to cling to his faith-based identity. He digs his fingers into his own flesh to feel pain and bring himself back to, or hold onto, reality. This personal story concept, initially introduced in his 2016 MV for "Press Your Number", also runs through his 2018 Japanese song, "Under My Skin, as well as 2020's "Criminal", "IDEA" (in fact the entire "Never Gonna Dance Again" Acts 1 & 2 albums of 2020), and 2021's "Advice" (look carefully at the black/white contrast & then Taemin's suit). For this particular song/MV, Taemin indicated that he researched both "Demian" by Hermann Hesse and ""Erotism: Death and Sensuality" by the French philosopher, Georges Bataille. His concept is that of guilt and how humans process their guilt, especially with respect to dealing with toxic relationships. For Taemin, this toxic relationship is within himself and is displayed through the character he plays of Abraxas (wearing a headdress and representing the gnostic demigod of a heretical sect and later referred to as a demon). However, Taemin also plays the character of himself being tormented by this internal demon who constantly plagues and entices him to go astray. The entire song is a dialogue between Abraxas and Taemin. During the dialogue, Taemin is struggling (the choreo) to fight off being possessed and swallowed completely by Abraxas. We see even more of this struggle in the b-side performance video for "The Rizzness" which you also reacted to. You clearly see the demon, "Abraxas" alone all in black (death, evil, chaos in religious terms) and Taemin dressed in white (associated with innocence, righteousness, and good in contrast to black) with backup dancers. We see Taemin walking through institutions of his memory such as a school (which, as an introvert, he hated), hospital/mental institution (brainwashing-Taemin was extremely se*ualized by the industry as a very young idol specifically because he was so pretty and just 14 at debut), and training center (SM?), always being controlled and in situations that produce temptations to go against his values. If he is not constantly vigilant, "....when you've caught on (Abraxas), I'm already gone (Taemin)." In other words, he will lose himself instantly because the temptations are so appealing and addictive (as illustrated in his MVs for "Want" & "Famous"). The "poison apple" is the bait, (again just like in 2019's "Want" & "Famous")..."want a bite?" "Just a little more, that's all it takes." "Gift you once as a bait, then I (Abraxas) take everything." The demon is the father of hundreds of lies. The pre-chorus and chorus are actually further dialogue between Taemin and Abraxas: [Pre-chorus] Ooh-ooh (On that vague border between good and bad - Taemin) You played the fool for me - Abraxas (My judgment in the final moment - Taemin) [Chorus -- all Abraxas] Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh You got me G-U-I-L-T-Y - Trick and take everything from you Again, just playing a game all for fun Hundreds of lies Ooh yeah Taemin is a genius when it comes to interweaving layers of meanings into his lyrics (which he often rewrites/tweaks from SM samples to make them fit his concepts) and leaving us mesmerized, trying to arrive at the deepest look into his psyche. This is why he is the ultimate artist for me. Yes, I love his dancing, but it's his lyrical and musical prowess that truly captivates me, while also gratifying my desire for deeper, meaningful Christian messaging that is usually lacking in actual Christian music. @milindawilson9175 said on 11/4/23 I think "Guilty" is a continuation of the themes surrounding Taemin's previous releases. Particularly connected to his Never Gonna Dance Again album -- "2 Kids", "Criminal" and "Idea" -- and Advice album themes. As Taemin has explained, "Guilty" is about a lover who DOESN'T feel guilty about all the bad things they have done in the relationship and they feel no shame or remorse for the pain and suffering they may have caused the other person. Which, if you connect it to the messages from his previous MVs, this easily could be interpreted as a metaphor for everything Taemin has gone through in his career and life. As an idol, he has been manipulated and controlled his whole life. Debuting at 14 years old, Taemin has lived his entire life in the public eye under a microscope, he is expected to be flawless and perfect, and people are constantly telling him what to do and how he should act, etc. However, now that he has turned 30, I think he is embracing a new chapter in his life where he is saying he is no longer going to allow people to manipulate him and he is officially taking back control. In other words, he's not going to feel guilty any more for being himself and doing what makes him happy. With Taemin -- and all the members of SHINee -- you will never get the same thing twice. Everything he releases will be a new style and sound and, yet, it will still be very "Taemin". As SM's experimental boy group, SHINee are meant to be the first to do almost everything, and they are expected to come up with something new that no one has ever seen or heard before with every release of theirs. As Kpop's trendsetters, the members of SHINee reinvent the industry with every comeback. Guilty is Taemin's 4th mini Korean album, but he has been in the industry for more than 15 years as a member of SHINee and he has been a solo artist since 2014. Therefore, including his full-length albums, mini albums, and singles, etc., as well as his Japanese albums, Taemin has more than a dozen solo albums. Not to mention the 2 albums he has as a member of SuperM. And on top of all that, SHINee currently has 14 full-length Korean and Japanese albums, just as many repackaged albums, numerous mini albums, etc. You have a TON to catch up on. :D Now you need to check out Taemin's Killing Voice performance. I have a feeling when you watch his Killing Voice you will find that hearing him sing "Guilty," as well as his other songs, live that you will be even more impressed. Plus, you need to see one of his live performances of "Guilty" to see the complete choreography. There is a reason why Taemin is like none other. @trixy1823 said on 11/10/23 TAEMIN says that CRIMINAL, ADVICE, and GUILTY are a collection(I think RIZZNESS could be included). I watched ADVICE first and then went and slowly read the lyrics on a lyrics site. There was one line that made it all click. No one would put that in there without a serious reason. Then I started taking everything in the songs seriously. To me GUILTY confirms it. I recently saw how the lyrics are the voice of the perpetrator yet he performs as the victim. The lyrics tell me he is NOT talking about “mental health issues”… he is talking about WHO and WHAT specifically caused his mental health issues. To me…this is a victim’s anthem for everyone❤‍🩹💪🏽💖. A retribution. @antidave said on 11/14/23 Its funny cause this has no pronouns and everyone just assumes she/her pronouns when in reality Taemin likes singing and having the concept of two sides of himself so he is singing to no one but himself and how he views different sides of himself. Very queer video and you can see how he's exploring his feminine and androgynous side again and even in the other videos. This song is supposed to make you feel guilty as he is being exploited and the viewer enjoys it even though you're not supposed to.

[@harriettholmes539]

The music video was inspired by a book Taemin read called Eroticism, French philosopher George Bataille expressed his desire instrest to explore complex emotions. The song's narrative is one of control and of manipulation, with the protagonist acknowledging their actions but showing no sign of remorse. The lyrics paint a picture of seductive game, where protagonist lure someone in with the allure of a poison apple a reference to the story Snow White, something that is enticing but ultimately harmful. The lyrics repeated invitation to 'take a bite' suggests willingness to engage in something dangerous or forbidden.

[@Strawberry_0408]

Omg TAEMIN 😍😍😍

[@avotia]

19:58 The Keys To Our Hearts😂

[@QueenSarabiii]

😭😭😭😭😭 and soul

[@OHNO-m9z]

I love TAEMIN

[@AshPooh]

Sigh. You're not the only one. It's a daily struggle to remind myself to breathe watching him

[@namjoonswife3300]

You're not the only one gurlie🤣 What ever Taemin does, he wrecks me every time🥵🥵

[@kdfromage9952]

Oh girl, you were me the first time I watched the trailer. I must have rewatched it about 4 times in a row, absorbing. Then the mv came…and my mind was officially blown. The emotion this song and accompanying mv raises is real, and so many possible interpretations. It’s important to have the context that this was the first mv after Taemin completed his mandatory military service. It was not an easy service; on the contrary he suffered tremendously and despite trying his very best to tough it out he had to be transferred to civil service out of real concern for his mental health. I see the mv as communicating institutional trauma, both as a child and as an adult. Interestingly, I have read other commentary that observed Taemin singing the part of the abuser while dancing the part of the victim. I definitely agree with that perspective. What are you thinking and feeling now that you’ve had some time to ponder and digest?

[@Catchybeast]

This music video was such a masterpiece! I loved the parts where he was "controlled" by the hands. It was so artsy. I was a little bit sad that it wasn't included in the choreography, but wasn't disappointed because Taemin still slayed during performances. Can't wait for you to learn more about him from his MV's and his fans ♥

[@QueenSarabiii]

I can't wait to learn more! Everything about this man is beautiful ❤️

[@marinal.]

Hi, i am back. Good reaction, ty. Good song. On 1st listen I felt strongly like crying. The tears were held in though the whole song though. But at the end i had to wipe my eyes. I just want to hug Taemin. On my 2nd listen i read the lyrics. And after i wondered was my reaction all in my head. There are layers here upon layers. Loved the fits and makeup. Some of the subject matter was an issue for me. I know Taemin had lots of mental health issues in the military. Based on the teasers I thought he would talk about it. And it looks like he does in his own way. I really want to hear his views on this song and album. I watched Suchwita ep. w. Taemin right after this. Glad he is back giving us headaches, lol. Perfect vocals in my opinion. The feathered headband is a Native American thing for me. I feel it has an important significance. The lyrics had nothing to do with the images in the MV. I think this is way over my head and i will watch some reactions to see what others think of Taemin's msg here. Feels based on imagery. Great choreo. The dance practice is a must. =0p Borahae. -NY USA 2019 Army💟 Loved that long skirt. He looked so good, dang. I also was getting examination. After a few reactions i am thinking he is showing military and psych mental health area. Like a mix of places. I was thinking were ppl saying he was guilty of making them feel attracted to him? Does he feel guilty about something? Lots of thoughts going through my head. I am so glad u watched the teasers. The more i watch the more i think that he is combining the military facility with a mental health facility. And we know he suffered in the military and asked for a transfer. So it seems he is portraying his struggles here. @ireneserrano4570 said on 10/30/23 I'm still confused about the exact meaning, but again, there could be different interpretations as with his other songs. But from the visuals i get the feeling it refers to abuse, it can be at so many levels. It can have psychological and physical or both, you can suffer it under your own family, friends, at school, at work, in love relationships... Then who is the perpetrator? many times you can be trapped by those people, even in a group or the society, you don't even realise but by the time you realise you have been actually abused THEY are gone, who can you blame exactly? I have gone through my own dose of abuse, and after years you realise but you end up blaming yourself too, as if you hadn't known better but then you allowed it...😢 Also the images of classroom and rooms with beds, and a kid surrounded by a group...Taemin is watching him from the door as if he was watching himself as a kid... also at the end those kids in school uniforms, all spread around, one grabbing the legs of an adult that grabs his leg, bleeding... South Korea also has buIIying as endemic.. at schools (kids also teachers committing suicide as they can't either find understanding or help by their surroundings, on the contrary they are treated as the outcast and weirdos) also at the workplace, in the Military, in university... Their social rules, their stratification and obsession with seniority, comparing their ages, wealth, possessions, their marks, everything... the social pressure on kids and in general on everyone to be better, the most xx the most xx...). The crazy mix of their traditional values and the contrast to the monstruos capitalism that devours all traditional values... traditional collectivism versus wild individualism... @pamela-623 said on 10/30/23 this is an amazing comeback, so artsy so taemin, shawols had lots of interesting theories, my favorite being that this is an interpretation of the struggles in military enlistment, young men being taken, examined and given a gun, i find it so fascinating @princesssunshine79 said on 10/31/23 From what I have picked up here and there, I THINK, don't quote me, the song is about training at an extremely young age in a very exploitive industry, his horrible experience while doing his military service, and his own mental health. Again, I am not positive about any of this. But, for Taemin, it makes a lot of sense. Especially the last two bits because his 2 years away was a nightmare that really messed with his mental health and depression. I hope this helps a wee bit. 😁 @sumim2192 said on 11/1/23 Just a note, In July (I think), Taemin updated his Instagram bio with a famous quote from Hermann Hesse's famous novel Demian “The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world. The bird flies to God. That God's name is Abraxas.” I think his outfit with the feather hat represents the god Abraxas. @prisonbreakd said on 10/31/23 The way he does dark concepts is so amazing to me. I think if you think about how guilt feels, the video/song represents it perfectly. The way he moves through the corridors and outside, and the choreography feels like he is out of control, and being suffocated by the situation, he is overwhelmed and struggling to understand up from down, invisible and visible hands push him around. You can't help but feel sad or sorry for him, despite him singing that he's done something horrible. And I think it's because, unlike in "Want", he is not proud or embracing it here; his pain, struggle and guilt are obvious. It's haunting. To me, the overall story of the video was that love (and life) is not always cutesy and sweet; it can come with a dark side, conflicting feelings, being intense and too much. You can do things you regret, and it can spin out of control, you can be aware of doing something wrong and not know how to stop, you can want things that are not good for you or someone that you care about. You can hurt people and be aware of what you are doing but not know how to do it better. You can love the wrong people, make mistakes and feel... well, guilty. It's just a very painful side of human experience that we don't like to look at because guilt and shame go together and make us very uneasy. @pandakholin said on 10/31/23 9:55 Yep. Rian, Simeez, Noze and Rozalin. They’ve been Taemin’s backup dancers since Criminal. Also here is Suzy Hong and Kim Haeun. Only the best of the best for Taemin. @lunemaline1338 said on 10/31/23 Taemin has spoken before how he regrets debuting so young in a very exploitative industry, that mixed with how hard his military enlistment period was for his mental health I see this being about him kinda losing his innocence and being thrown into violence. the shot of him looking at one of the dancers that kinda looks like a younger version of him having fun with everyone else to him being in this medical room and being moved like a puppet, forced to hold a gun and being stripped of his individuality by wearing this school uniform. That’s what I love about Taemin’s music and MV’s it starts to make you think and theorize, he’s super creative. @schuylernefcy3466 said on 10/31/23 Other note, It's like Taemin is singing the part of the abuser and dancing the part of the abused and I can't believe how hauntingly beautiful it is. @bea_hae_tae9392 said on 11/3/23 Taemin has talked about the literature that inspired this concept: Erotism: Death and Sensuality by Georges Bataille and Demian by Hermann Hesse. Love that Taemin decided to do things his own way with his own colors. I don't see anyone else doing this concept, or even the way in which he does it. Just stunning! Great reaction, thanks for giving so much love to his work. @carriemorgan2704 said on 11/1/23 Casper and Bada Lee did the choreography. Just amazing. Loved your reaction. You were as excited as me. The man is ART. I agree. My fav song he's ever done. Big call...but this was a literal experience.

[@Tsuki_no_Megami]

Wait til you see what his personality is like 🤣

[@marinal.]

@Saddlemomma said on 11/4/23 I had to really chew on this one. I know that Taemin really loves philosophy, just like my daughter who is getting a minor in philosophy at college. In "L'erostisme" the author argues that eroticism is "a psychological quest not alien to death." As a Christian, Taemin has often used his music/MVs to illustrate his conflict with being a Christian while also being in a world that thrives on eroticism and all sorts of worldly temptations that are considered sinful for those with a Christian worldview. Therefore, I instantly was reminded of is songs "Want", "Famous", the NGDA trilogy, "Advice", etc., when listening to this -- almost like it was the final amalgamation of all those songs combined. The situation only intensifies when you couple those temptations with celebrity status and the institutions that facilitate and mold you to achieve that status. Things become more easily attainable and acceptable through money, constant peer pressure, and the desire for acceptance from your peers, the company, and fans. For Taemin, an additional factor thrown into that already mental chaotic mess is the fact that from the time he entered the celebrity world as a very introverted youngster at the tender age of 14 (intl. age), he was constantly sexualized by the company and other celebrities. In Asian countries, it is considered high comedy to cross-dress, wear long hair extensions and act girly. Due to Taemin's innocent "prettiness" as a child (and later on) those in the industry made full use of Taemin -- constantly dressing him as a girl, fawning over him, petting him, making lewd jokes, etc. As much as Taemin cried out that he was A MAN, the more tone-deaf everyone became -- all except his SHINee brothers. This situation prompted Jonghyun to pen the song "Pretty Boy" for Taemin, which stated that "I am more than the imaginations in your head." The lyrics are quite scathing to those who would make Taemin something he wasn't. Taemin has said in many interviews that, as an artist within an industry flooded with great artists, he had to find a niche that would make him stand out and use that unique niche to build his career. That's just what he did. In his 2020 interview with Ravi on "Ravi's Close-up: Taemin", he also revealed that he despised school. In fact, as a Kindergartner, he would leave home with his lunch, not say anything to his mother, and go to the park for the day. However, not understanding the concept of passing time, he would return home within an hour. His mother caught on quickly. One of the reasons Taemin became an idol was to get out of all the extra classes Koreans take after school to boost their studies to do well on standardized tests. Finally Taemin's mother, tired of fighting him told him that if he passed the open audition for SM Entertainment, he could drop all of his after-school classes. Taemin went and did just that on the very first try. There are only 8 other idols (I think, or less) who have done this in the history of these open auditions attended by thousands. Despite not enjoying school, Taemin is extremely intelligent especially in science and math. He finished school and college while navigating an insanely packed schedule. Lastly, I feel like Taemin is giving us a very real picture of just how horrendous his military service (another institution) was in the very beginning, on top of how the anxiety and depression medications made him feel (symbolized by the inhaler), and fighting against himself and his demons to stick through it despite how awful it was. Remember, he never said a word about wanting a transfer. The decision was made for him by military personnel for his well being. That says a lot. Taemin was asked by Suga on "Suchwita" how he prepared for "Guilty, and Taemin responded that he reflected a lot on his past, where he had been and what he had done. He wanted to reveal his story on a much deeper level. I feel "Guilty" is that revelation of how parts of his childhood were good, but between school, the challenges of being an idol at such a tender age with no control, and his military experience -- all these "institutions" -- have affected him tremendously. He is constantly treading that fine line of wanting to remain that innocent kid (good) that entered the celebrity world and "died" by losing that innocence with the constant temptations of embracing all the eroticism and sinfulness of the world (bad). If what I am just speculating about is true, releasing all these bottled up feelings and frustrations have not only released his greatest work to date (IMHO) but may also have been very cathartic for him. Addl. Note: "Guilty" was originally slated as the title track for his 2021 mini-album. However, at that time, "Advice" suited the project more. Taemin resurrected "Guilty" for this comeback but said (during "Suchwita") that he had to rework much of the song to get it where he wanted it for this release.

[@marinal.]

@thespianoge said on 11/5/23 Aaannnnd a specific reading based on childhood trauma in the industry: In the beginning, there are children’s drawings on the walls. There are old discarded clothes from the past. He stumbles through the halls of his memory with difficulty and trepidation. He spies something that may have been important or shameful to him (the two children in the room.) He remembers a fun time in the dorms with pillow fights and perhaps a younger him. He looks on with sadness and pity and regret. These memories creep onto him like the hands that caress his neck. An intimate violation. These memories are too much for him and send him spiraling. Cue tortured dancing. They can’t be contained underneath anymore and they escape through his shirt and reach towards his neck, attempting to suffocate him. Then there’s the manhandling in the medical-esque scene, molding and forcing him and invading his personal space. Wrapping him up tightly and restrained in the hoodie. Taking away his autonomy, as he looks on, dead faced. That was his childhood as an idol. The next look with the skirt, he graduates to his solo career. Was he made to wear the skirt, keys around it but no lock? He experiments more with his sensuality in his performance and perhaps in life in general. He begins to become a more dominant figure. Perhaps the crown symbolizes his rise to stardom. He stands in the middle of circles that seem to be almost worshiping him. But still, that old trauma snakes up once again and attempts to choke him. People pile on the bed. I know this is dark, but maybe it’s people the industry ruined in one way or another. People dance around him in slow motion. He looks around in a daze, seeing the people but not really in the world anymore. Completely dissociated from his life, realizing from the outside what the reality truly is. He’s in a car with an inhaler in a schoolboy’s uniform, trying to calm himself from what he knows he must do. He clings to an authority figure, the stability and manager of his whole life, for one last time. He claws at his leg, attempting to be an outlet to keep the pain inside. He raises his gaze and, with a look of determination, sets fire to his old home. Reframing the story of being a child, finally claiming his agency. He emerges beautiful and free from the flames wearing a costume completely different from the others, of his own choosing. He still wears the jean skirt sometimes, but because he chooses to. His dancing is much more free and loose.

[@avotia]

The difference between solo's and superM is that there they don't try to steal your heart there they try to impress you. Slightly different thing.

[@QueenSarabiii]

😭

[@erb34]

I hope you listen to the track uninterrupted so you can enjoy the music too.

[@namjoonswife3300]

YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS👏🏽👏🏽

[@linali4927]

Кай получает все из собственной головы и своего таланта. Так же как Тэмин... 🙄

[@kyungsoosings2362]

Taemin Kai and Baekhyun in one group.....dear lord you forgot Ten, my bias in SuperM. Guilty is rather sad indeed. It touches on abuse, whether physical or s** abuse, which if it happens as a youngster, considered child abuse that can stretch into more disgusting abuse....and abuse from either an older kid, or an adult can lead to trauma that does make you guilty for it ever happening....those abused kids grow up viewing love in a twisted way...and the trauma felt from physical abuse by your peers can easily give delusions of grandeur...wanting to 'rule' over those who hurt you, or even kill for revenge....these are only real feelings abused kids will play over and over in their minds, only thoughts.....if Taemin himself ever experienced anything like this as a youngster I wouldn't know, and we hope not....but sorry to say many people viewed this mv this way and were saddened, to the point of weeping....those reactors made me cry because they experienced some things.....but I love the mv, and felt the trauma and disconnect Taemin's character portrayed. He's a one of a kind artist. 💙🌺

[@conan125]

Girl I need you to react to "strings" you will be more confused

[@QueenSarabiii]

😭😭

[@MsAlex89andra]

😌😌😌 I recognize and emphasize with every single minute of this journey. Imma be real Taemin sexiness only hit me around 2013. Before that he was simply cute and then SM fed him some serious pheromones or god knows what and he turned up the cuntiness to super saiyan lvl.Yes whatever happens to you happened to us all. I simply love watching ppl loose their shit when they discover Taemin. Bcs: yes girl. I know. I can’t wait for you to get through all of the Taemin treasures. True gems out there and a ticket straight to helpless insanity

[@cashmeredelicate1373]

This. I'm Bigbang fan they are swag their songs is awesome but than he come with 'Danger' and wrecked me i only 15 at that time

[@MsAlex89andra]

@@cashmeredelicate1373 omg Gurl Same. I was/am/will be a forever GD girl. Like in my eyes OGs and Kings will be BigBang and the Princess are Shinee. While GD completely and utterly impresses me and I was as much in love as one can be with a stranger Taemin just touches upon something feral which I should discuss with my therapist.